Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Portland hides a tunnel ghost story underground. This 90-minute Shanghai Tunnels tour takes you beneath Old Town streets to hear the legend of resident ghost Nina, plus dark tales from Portland’s past, finishing with beer tastings at Old Town Pizza and Brewing.

I love that it includes exclusive access to the tunnels, not just a quick walk around a basement set. I also like how the 3 tastings and 1 pint feel built into the end of the tour, so you get a payoff right after the underground part.

The main drawback is the physical side. Expect narrow stairs, ducking under obstacles, and uneven floors, so plan your shoes and mobility needs carefully.

Quick hits before you go

• Exclusive access to the Shanghai Tunnels under Old Town
• Ghost Nina stories tied to Portland’s darker past
• 3 beer tastings plus 1 pint included after resurfacing
• Tight, old-school underground layout, with stairs, pipes, and low spots
• Adult-content topics may come up, including sexual content, drug use, trafficking, violence, and death
• Small group size with a maximum of 15 people

Where the tour starts at Old Town Pizza and Brewing

You meet in central Portland at Old Town Pizza and Brewing, 226 NW Davis St. The tour runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it ends back where it starts, so you can plan your evening without a long trek across town.

A smart move here is to treat the meeting time like part of the experience. Reviews repeatedly point out that the food and the casual taproom atmosphere help you get in the mood before you head underground. If you want the evening to feel easy, show up a little early, get a slice if it’s open, and settle your nerves before the stairs.

You’ll also be in a small group (max 15). That matters down below, because in tight tunnel spaces, you need to hear your guide clearly and keep your footing with less crowding.

Finally, this is handled with a mobile ticket and is offered in English. If you’re planning around transit, the meeting spot is near public transportation, which makes it easier to fit into a Portland itinerary.

Entering the Shanghai Tunnels: stairs, low spaces, and real structure

The tour begins above ground, then you descend beneath Portland’s streets to explore passageways that once helped connect local businesses to the Willamette River. This is not a generic “history walk.” You’re going into the actual tunnel spaces people don’t usually see.

Once you’re underground, the layout sets expectations fast. The tour involves climbing up and down stairs, and you’ll be maneuvering around pipes between the ceiling and floor. You also need to watch for obstacles to duck under and uneven dirt floors. In other words, your feet and your head both matter on this one.

Comfort tip, not optional: wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Sneakers are specifically recommended, and high heels are a bad idea given the narrow stairs and low areas. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates uneven ground, this is the part to think about most. One consistent theme in the reviews is that it is not ideal for mobility issues.

Timing is also worth noting. Because you’re moving carefully in tight spaces, the “about 90 minutes” duration is realistic and not padded with long breaks. You’ll be guided step-by-step through a sequence of underground rooms and corridors, with stops where the story pauses long enough for you to understand what you’re seeing.

Portland’s dark history, plus the Nina ghost thread

The big hook is Portland’s “dark history” told through the Shanghai Tunnels, and the tour weaves in a resident ghost named Nina. The effect is part historical lesson, part spooky storytelling.

One thing to calibrate: this tour is not just a nonstop haunting. Even when the Nina element is a highlight, the strongest emphasis is still on how the tunnels worked and what happened around them in Portland’s late history. If you want pure ghost drama, you might find the tour leans more toward history with ghost moments rather than a full theatrical scare show.

That said, the guides seem to do a great job balancing heavy topics with pacing. Names that show up in reviews include Skippy, Natasha, Doug, and Kaitlin. People praise them for keeping the experience entertaining even when the material gets serious. You’ll hear discussions that can include sexual content, drug use, human trafficking, violence, and death, so this is not the right fit for everyone.

Also, there’s room for deeper detail beyond simple tunnel lore. One review mentions hearing about a practice called crimping connected to the sailing industry in the 1800s. You may or may not hear that specific thread on your day, but it’s a good example of how the tour can connect the tunnels to broader stories of work, control, and survival.

If you’re sensitive to adult subject matter, take the warning seriously and decide based on your comfort level.

The “hidden” rooms feel like a guided walk through a story

A common compliment is that the underground spaces feel rare and specific, not generic. Guides take you through underground rooms and connected areas under the Old Town Pizza and Brewing building area, and you get to see how the tunnel environment shaped daily life for people above and below.

What makes this valuable is the cause-and-effect feeling. You’re not just learning facts. You’re looking at the physical constraints that would have mattered: tight corridors, stairs, pipes, and the kind of cramped working spaces that change how people move, hide, and interact.

The tour also includes a sense of place. People talk about walking into spots tied to Portland’s late 1800s era and the “Shanghai” theme, which helps the stories land. And if you enjoy local oddities, the whole Nina angle adds a folklore layer you can remember long after you resurface.

One practical consideration: because there are low sections and uneven ground, you’ll get the best experience if you move carefully and follow your guide’s spacing instructions. Think of it like a guided museum visit where the exhibits happen to be under street level and the floor is not polished.

Beer tastings and 1 pint: what you actually get at the end

After you climb back up, the tour pivots to the “reward” portion. You get three beer tastings and one full pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer. This is where the experience shifts from spooky and historical to social and celebratory.

I like this structure for one reason: it creates a clean mental reset. Underground stories can be heavy. A pint right after gives your brain something simple and enjoyable to anchor to.

A small note from reviews: some people found the tastings to be small pours rather than big samples. That’s not a dealbreaker because the included pint is the real finish line, but it helps set expectations if you’re the type who wants plenty of beer on the spot.

If you’re doing this as a date night, the pairing works. You can end with a drink, compare notes with your group, and keep the evening going in the taproom area at Old Town. Several reviews mention food and extra lingering time, so even if you’re not starving, you may want to grab a slice if it’s available when you arrive.

Value for $48, and when it feels like a win

At $48 per person, the value depends on what you care about most.

Here’s the math you can use: you’re paying for a guided underground tour plus three tastings and a pint. If you already like Portland beer, the included drinks take the edge off the cost. If you’re also hoping to see exclusive spaces that most people never access, the price feels more justified.

The other value factor is the group size. With up to 15 people, the tour can feel personal enough that you can hear the story without shouting over crowds.

That said, not everyone buys into the haunting side. Some reviews complain that it feels more like history than a ghost tour, and a few mention limited tunnel coverage or small design elements like props. If you expect a long maze of tunnels far beyond one building area, you might feel less satisfied.

My practical take: book this if you want a guided Portland underground story and you’re happy with a blend of history plus Nina rather than pure jump-scare ghost action.

Who should book this underground tour in Portland

This is a good match if:

• You like Portland-specific stories and local odd history
• You enjoy a mix of history and light spooky storytelling
• You want an experience that ends with real beer included
• You don’t mind stairs, low ceilings, and uneven ground

You should think twice if:

• Mobility is limited for you, or you need step-free access
• You want a full-on theatrical ghost show rather than history-led storytelling
• Adult-content topics are not a good fit for your group

Age rules matter too. The tour is 21+ for all tours other than 2pm and 3pm, and there are no babies, infants, or kids under 12 years old. If you’re traveling with teens, double-check the time you select.

Finally, the tour is capped at 15 travelers, so it’s not a huge production. That can make it more enjoyable, but it also means filling spots can be faster during peak seasons.

Quick tips so you stay comfortable and un-stressed

This tour is small-space touring. Plan like it’s a walking tour plus a minor obstacle course.

• Wear closed-toe sneakers or supportive shoes.
• Bring layers. Underground spaces can feel cooler than street level.
• Expect you’ll need to duck under obstacles and move around pipes.
• If you’re doing this right after arriving in town, give yourself buffer time for the meeting location and walking.
• If you don’t enjoy adult topics, check the warning and decide early.

Also, go in with the right mindset. The experience works best when you accept it as a guided tour where the spookiness is threaded through history, not sprayed on top like fog machines.

Should you book the Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnels tour?

I’d book it if you want a Portland experience that feels local, unusual, and slightly dark, with the payoff of three tastings plus a pint. The underground access is the core value, and the best reviews credit the guides for making tough material easier to follow without killing the fun.

I would skip it if you need mobility-friendly access or if your only goal is a ghost show with lots of supernatural action. Based on the tour’s design and the way people describe it, you’ll get more tunnel history than you might expect, even though the Nina legend is a real part of the storyline.

If you’re a beer fan, this also has a practical edge: your night ends with a drink you’re already paying for.

FAQ

How long is the Shanghai Tunnels haunted tour?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What beer is included with the tour?

You get three beer tastings and 1 pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer included.

Is this mostly ghosts or mostly tunnel history?

You’ll hear stories tied to the resident ghost Nina and Portland’s darker past, but the tour also gives a lot of focus to the tunnels and the surrounding history.

What are the age requirements?

Most tours are 21+. Minors are not allowed on tours other than the 2pm and 3pm time slots. There are also no babies, infants, or kids under 12 years old.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

The experience is in an old building with narrow stairs and doorways, some obstacles to duck under, and uneven dirt floors. Comfortable footwear is recommended, and the tour involves climbing stairs and navigating around pipes.

What is the cancellation policy if plans change?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded. There is no refund for late guests or same-day cancellations, and the tour may be rescheduled or refunded if canceled due to poor weather.